The Yankees continue their high-stakes search for a new player to bolster their roster. With Kyle Tucker heading to the Cubs and Juan Soto making a shocking, money-driven move to a club willing to spend over $700 million, the Yankees are left with a few intriguing options. Several names have reportedly been kept on their radar.
Cody Bellinger: The ongoing rumor is alive
According to a CBS Sports article updated on Monday, the persistent rumor of Cody Bellinger being on the Yankees’ radar appears to have gained traction. Matt Snyder highlights Bellinger as an excellent fit for the Yankees’ ballpark, given his lefty power and the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium. If acquired, Bellinger could play center field or first base, giving the Yankees flexibility while they continue to address other roster needs, such as first basemen or outfielders.
Snyder notes that bringing in Bellinger could allow the Yankees to secure his services first and then figure out the rest of the roster later, providing the team with immediate impact while maintaining flexibility.
Could Nico Hoerner join the Yankees?
In a trade proposal article, Alexander Wilson from Empire Sports Media floated the idea of the Yankees pursuing another Cubs player, Nico Hoerner. Wilson suggests that Hoerner could provide solutions in both the outfield and second base, aligning with the Yankees’ market needs for versatile players.
Defensively, Hoerner is one of the best second basemen in baseball. In 2024, he logged 1,234.1 innings at the position, recording a .936 fielding percentage, four defensive runs saved, and 10 outs above average. Offensively, he is a reliable contact hitter. Last season, Hoerner slashed .273/.335/.373 with seven home runs, 48 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases. His 103 wRC+ suggests he is slightly above league average offensively, while his defensive and baserunning skills add considerable value.
Alex Bregman and Christian Walker in the mix?
It has been five days since the New York Post reported that the Yankees were pushing to bring Christian Walker to the Bronx in the aftermath of the Juan Soto trade.
In the meantime, names like Devin Williams and Max Fried were also linked to the Yankees, but Walker remains a strong candidate.
Bryan Hoch, a reputable MLB insider, recently indicated that Walker is viewed by the Yankees’ front office as a likely fit. Hoch reported that the two parties engaged in extensive discussions during the Winter Meetings, although talks cooled off when Tucker became available. With Tucker no longer in play, rumors about Walker have resurged.
Walker’s age (over 30) definitely raises concerns, but his consistent production at the plate could ease fans’ worries about the upcoming season. In 2024, Walker hit 26 home runs in 130 games. Over the past three seasons, Walker has averaged at least 3.0 fWAR, 25 home runs, and 10 outs above average annually—precisely the type of all-around value the Yankees need. For context, the Yankees’ first basemen combined for a -1.1 fWAR with a 76 wRC+ last season.
At that time, The Athletic also unveiled that Yankees GM Brian Cashman had discussed free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman with his agent, Scott Boras. During the Winter Meetings earlier this week, Boras mentioned having numerous conversations with clubs and owners regarding Bregman’s market availability. The Yankees are among the teams expressing interest.
“We all know what comes after A (Alex) and B (Bregman) is a C — champion,” Boras said. “And in Bregman’s case, that’s C-squared. All of these teams realize what a leader he is and what a champion he is, plus his skill level. He’s very much in demand.”
The Yankees find themselves at a crossroads after Juan Soto’s unexpected move to the Mets created a vacuum in their offense. While Nico Hoerner, at 27 years old, offers youth and versatility, Christian Walker’s power and steady production could provide immediate impact. Both players remain viable options as of this writing.
Who should the Yankees target next?
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